Clamping device

ABSTRACT

A clamping device includes two, preferably curved, arms which are pivotally connected together at an apex and which may be shifted inwardly and outwardly by means of a force applying threaded sleeve and screw member which are pivotally connected to the respective arm portions. The sleeve member is mounted on a block which is pivoted to one of the arms and a threaded spindle or screw member is passed through a block which is pivoted to the other arm and engages within the sleeve member. The outer ends of each arm includes clamping jaws which are shifted with the arms inwardly or outwardly in order to provide a clamping action by rotation of the screw relative to the sleeve member. At least one of the arms may pivot not only about the pivotal connection at the apex of the two arms but also about the pivot of either of the threaded sleeve or the threaded spindle block supports which are arranged intermediate in length of the respective arm. A final tightening clamping action may be obtained by means of an eccentric portion of the pivot for the apex of the two arms which has the effect of shifting one end of one arm at the location at the apex in a direction outwardly so that it pivots about its intermediate connection to the force applying sleeve or spindle member.

United States Patent 1191 Blake 71541 CLAMPING DEVICE [76] Inventor: John B. Blake, 103 Oak Avenue,

Park Ridge, NJ. 07656 [22] Filed: Mar. 16, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 124,676

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 19,497 11/1891 Great Britain ..269/22l Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney-John J. McGlew and Alfred E. Page Great Britain ..24/248 SA' [4511 June 5,1973

[57] ABSTRACT A clamping device includes two, preferably curved, arms which are pivotally .connected together at an apex and which may be shifted inwardly and outwardly by means of a force applying threaded sleeve and screw member which are pivotally connected to the respective arm portions. The sleeve member is mounted on a block which is pivoted to one of the arms and a threaded spindle or screw member is passed through a block which is pivoted to the other arm and engages within the sleeve member. The outer ends of each arm includes clamping jaws which are shifted with the arms inwardly or outwardly in order to provide a clamping action by rotation of the screw relative to the sleeve member. At least one of the arms may pivot not only about the pivotal connection at the apex of the two arms but also about the 'pivot of either of the threaded sleeve or the threaded spindle block supports which are arranged intermediate in length of the respective arm. A final tightening clamping action may be obtained by means of an eccentric portion of the pivot for the apex of the two arms which has the effect of shifting one end of one arm at the location at the apex in a direction outwardly so that it pivots about its intermediate connection to the force applying sleeve or spindle member.

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INVENTOR. Jail 5. Bl AKE ATIUR/W'Ki' 1 CLAMPING DEVICE This invention relates in general to the construction of clamping devices and, in particular, to a new and useful clamping device having two arm members which are connected together at an apex and which include opposite clamping ends which are moved inwardly and outwardly by means of a force applying threaded sleeve and spindle member which are pivoted at their respective ends to the respective arms.

The present invention is an improvement over the prior art particularly in respect to the pivotal mounting of the two arms at their apices and also in the provision of supporting elements, or blocks, for the force applying mechanism for opening and closing the clamp and which is in the form of a threaded sleeve and screw member. One of the force applying members for example, the sleeve, is carried on one block which is supported on one arm in a pivotal manner, and the other member is carried on another block pivoted on the other'arm, and threaded rotation of one member in respect to the other causes either an opening or closing of the arms in accordance with the direction of rotation. An advantage of the construction is that the arms may freely move inwardly under the control of the force applying mechanism and, in addition, at least one arm may pivot about its pivotal connection to the force applying mechanism. With such an arrangement, it is possible to provide an additional closing clamping action by means of an element, such as an eccentric, which moves against one of the arms to shift its inner or apex end outwardly and cause its outer or clamping end to engage tightly against the clamped object.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved clamping device which includes a pair of arm members which are pivotally connected at an apex and which have opposite clamping ends which may be opened and closed by a force applying mechanism in the form of threaded spindle and sleeve members which are pivotally mounted intermediate the length of each arm at the respective ends of the force applying members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping mechanism wherein the mechanism includes two arms which are pivoted together with at least one being shiftable at the location of the pivot to cause opposite clamping ends to move either inwardly or outwardly for the purpose of effecting a tight clamping engagement or a release of an object and wherein the means for effecting the movement of the arms provides a pivotal mounting of the arm on the force applying mechanism and an eccentric associated with the pivot for the two arms which is capable upon rotation in a selected direction to shift one of the arms so that its clamping end moves either inwardly or outwardly as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping device which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a clamping device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are end elevational views of the eccentric pivot construction;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 shows a separated view indicating the construction of the two arms before they are engaged together; and

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of the two arms with the pivot pin and associated sleeve in an operative position.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises, a clamping device, generally designated 10, which includes first and second clamping arms 12 and 14 which are pivoted together at an apex 16 on a pivot assembly 18. The oppositeouter ends of each of the arms 12 and 14 include clamping jaws 20 and 22 which are respectively pivotally mounted on pivot elements 24 and 26 of the associated arms 12 and 14. Positioning means for holding the jaws 22 so that they extend inwardly at an angle at which they will engage together and not fall downwardly comprise a projection 25: each arm 12 and 14 of which engages the flat plate ends 200 and 22a of the respective jaws.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, each arm 12 and 14 includes a pair of plate members 28 and 30 which are held in fixed parallel relationship, for example, by rivets 24, 26, 32 and 34. Force closing means are associated with the arms 12 and 14 to either open or close these arms by shifting them about the pivot assembly 18. The force closing means includes a sleeve member 36 having a block portion 38 which is pivoted at 40 on arm 12 and a spindle member 42 which is threadable into the sleeve number 36 and which includes a block portion 44 which is pivotable about a pivot 46. The pivots 40 and 46 are located intermediate the length of each arm assembly 12 and 14 and they not only provide a pivot support for the force closing mechanism but also permit the pivotal movement of one arm, for example the arm 14 relative to the other arm, for example the arm 12. The force closing mechanism includes a collar member 48 which is carried on the spindle member 42 and includes a recessed hexagonal head 50 for receiving a tool such as the end of an Allen wrench to facilitate rotation thereof in order to apply a force closing pressure on the two arms to move the two clamping jaws 20 and 22 together when the spindle member is threaded, into the sleeve member 36.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the spindle member 42 advantageously includes means, for example a washer 52, at its outer end which prevents the opening of the spindle 3 member beyond the shoulder formation 54 at the interior of the sleeve member 36.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the pivot assembly includes a central widened cylinder portion 56 which is supported between the plate arms 28 and 30. A washer member 64 is advantageously specially constructed so as to be biased against the pivot 18 in order to make the turning of the pivot assembly 18 difficult when the clamp is opened and is not under pressure. This insures that the eccentric will be retained in the proper off or disengaged position so that it is not necessary to locate it in the off position before tightening the spindle. The washer member 64 is lanced as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, it is raised away from the plane of the drawing and provided with a spring temper to provide a drag on the pivot assembly 18. The second clamping force may be applied to the clamping arms by means of the pivot pin assembly 18 when it is rotated by engagement of a tool in a hexagonal opening 58. For this purpose, the pin assembly 18 includes eccentric portions 60 and 60' which engage with respective plate arms 28 and 30 of the arm assembly l4 and concentric portions 62 and 62' which engage with respective plate arms 28 and 30 of the arm assembly 12. This means that when the pin assembly 18 is rotated, the inner or apex end, of the arm 14 is moved outwardly to cause it to pivot around the pivot 46 and to cause the opposite clamping end with the clamp 22 to move toward the clamp 20. The arms 12 and 14 fit together with the pivot as indicated in F IGS. 7 and 8 and a washer member 64 is fitted over the pivot and includes dogs or ears 66 which ride between abutments 68 and 70 on one of the arms, for example the arm 12, and provides a stop for the opening and closing movement of the clamps.

The clamping device provides a simple clamping ele; ment which has an easily operating force applying means for opening and closing the jaws 20 and 22 and which permits easy engagement and disengagement of an article to be clamped. In addition, the additional or second clamping feature provided at the central pivot permits the final clamping movement by rotation of the pivot 18 at the apex of the two clamping arms.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in details to illustrate the applicationof the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A clamp comprising first and second rigid arms being pivoted together at their one ends and curving outwardly toward their opposite ends, said opposite ends terminating in clamping jaws which are movable with said ends toward and away from each other by rotation of said arms about their pivotal connection together, said arms together being of generally clamshaped configuration, and force applying means for opening and closing said arms pivotally connected to said arms intermediate their lengths and comprising a rotatable threaded spindle pivotally carried on one of said arms and being rotatable on said one of said arms and socket means carried on the other of said arms rotatably receiving said spindle at a location between said arms, said spindle having a head which may be engaged and rotatedto open and close said arms, said head projecting beyond the exterior of one of said arms, said spindle being received in the fully closed position of said clamp within said socket means and without projecting beyond the exterior outer sideof the other of said arms so that it is unobstructed on its outer side in both the opened and closed position of said clamp.

2. A clamp according to claim 1 including a block pivoted to one of said arms rotatably supporting said spindle, said socket means comprising a cylinder pivotally connected to the other of said arms and extending only inwardly from the pivotal connection to said one of said arms, said spindle being threadably received in said cylinder.

3. A clamp according to claim 1 including a clamping jaw pivoted to the outer end of each of said arms, each having a plate portion which are adapted to engage with the respective opposite clamping jaw plate portion, and holding means on said arms for holding said plate portions of said clamping jaws so that they are oriented toward the respective opposite arms and are held against falling out of aligned opposed position for clamping together.

4. A clamp according to claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a projecting portion of each of said arms which bears against said plate portion of said clamp to restrain said clamping jaws from moving outwardly from said clamping arms.

5. A clamp according to claim 1 including a pivot pin pivotally supporting said anns at the pivotal connection therebetween having means associated therewith for forcing one of said arms to pivot about its pivotal connection including a pivot joint-having an eccentric portion engageable with one of said arms for shifting said one of said arms relative to the other of said arms.

6. A clamping device comprising first and second arms arranged together at an apex, a pivot pin assembly pivotally supporting said arms at said apex, a force applying member pivotally mounted to each of said arms and including a threaded member engageable with a threaded receiving member which are relatively rotatable for opening and closing said arms, said force applying member being entirely inside of the outer extremity of one of said arms in the opened and closed position of said arms and the opposite end of said member having only a socket head portion protruding beyond the outer surface of the other of said arms, the outer ends of said arms being a clamping end for clamping an object, said pivot pin assembly including a concentric bearing portion joumalled in one of said arms and having a socket for engagement with a tool for rotation and an eccentric portion engageable with the other said arms and being rotatable to displace the other of said arms for pivotal movement about its pivotal connection to said force applying means for shifting the clamping end thereof in a direction toward or away from the opposite clamping end of the other arm.

7. A clamping device, according to claim 6, wherein said force applying member includes a sleeve element having a block portion pivotally supported on one of said arms and a threaded spindle member having a block portion pivotally supported on the other said arms, and stop means associated with said spindle for preventing withdrawal of said spindle from said cylinder and limiting the opening of said arms.

8. A clamping device, according to claim 7, wherein said stop means comprises a washer.

9. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said pivot assembly includes a pivot pin said arms each including two spaced parallel plate members which are curved outwardly from said pivot pin, and means biasing at least one of said arms relative to the other of said arms and said ,pivot for inhibiting the pivotal movement of said arms. 

1. A clamp comprising first and second rigid arms being pivoted together at their one ends and curving outwardly toward their opposite ends, said opposite ends terminating in clamping jaws which are movable with said ends toward and away from each other by rotation of said arms about their pivotal connection together, said arms together being of generally clamshaped configuration, and force applying means for opening and closing said arms pivotally connected to said arms intermediate their lengths and comprising a rotatable threaded spindle pivotally carried on one of said arms and being rotatable on said one of said arms and socket means carried on the other of said arms rotatably receiving said spindle at a location between said arms, said spindle having a head which may be engaged and rotated to open and close said arms, said head projecting beyond the exterior of one of said arms, said spindle being received in the fully closed position of said clamp within said socket means and without projecting beyond the exterior outer side of the other of said arms so that it is unobstructed on its outer side in both the opened and closed position of said clamp.
 2. A clamp according to claim 1 including a block pivoted to one of said arms rotatablY supporting said spindle, said socket means comprising a cylinder pivotally connected to the other of said arms and extending only inwardly from the pivotal connection to said one of said arms, said spindle being threadably received in said cylinder.
 3. A clamp according to claim 1 including a clamping jaw pivoted to the outer end of each of said arms, each having a plate portion which are adapted to engage with the respective opposite clamping jaw plate portion, and holding means on said arms for holding said plate portions of said clamping jaws so that they are oriented toward the respective opposite arms and are held against falling out of aligned opposed position for clamping together.
 4. A clamp according to claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a projecting portion of each of said arms which bears against said plate portion of said clamp to restrain said clamping jaws from moving outwardly from said clamping arms.
 5. A clamp according to claim 1 including a pivot pin pivotally supporting said arms at the pivotal connection therebetween having means associated therewith for forcing one of said arms to pivot about its pivotal connection including a pivot joint having an eccentric portion engageable with one of said arms for shifting said one of said arms relative to the other of said arms.
 6. A clamping device comprising first and second arms arranged together at an apex, a pivot pin assembly pivotally supporting said arms at said apex, a force applying member pivotally mounted to each of said arms and including a threaded member engageable with a threaded receiving member which are relatively rotatable for opening and closing said arms, said force applying member being entirely inside of the outer extremity of one of said arms in the opened and closed position of said arms and the opposite end of said member having only a socket head portion protruding beyond the outer surface of the other of said arms, the outer ends of said arms being a clamping end for clamping an object, said pivot pin assembly including a concentric bearing portion journalled in one of said arms and having a socket for engagement with a tool for rotation and an eccentric portion engageable with the other said arms and being rotatable to displace the other of said arms for pivotal movement about its pivotal connection to said force applying means for shifting the clamping end thereof in a direction toward or away from the opposite clamping end of the other arm.
 7. A clamping device, according to claim 6, wherein said force applying member includes a sleeve element having a block portion pivotally supported on one of said arms and a threaded spindle member having a block portion pivotally supported on the other said arms, and stop means associated with said spindle for preventing withdrawal of said spindle from said cylinder and limiting the opening of said arms.
 8. A clamping device, according to claim 7, wherein said stop means comprises a washer.
 9. A device, according to claim 6, wherein said pivot assembly includes a pivot pin said arms each including two spaced parallel plate members which are curved outwardly from said pivot pin, and means biasing at least one of said arms relative to the other of said arms and said pivot for inhibiting the pivotal movement of said arms. 